2 Cuban migrants rescued from sea; 29 others swim to shore

An image taken from the police helicopter of a Cuban vessel that had ran aground on Thursday evening.

Two Cuban migrants were rescued by Joint Marine Unit officers while clinging to a channel marker after their vessel ran aground near Morritt’s Tortuga Club Thursday evening.

Twenty-nine other people from the same vessel made it to shore, according to a press release from the Royal Cayman Islands Police Service.

The Joint Marine Unit, police helicopter and uniformed officers responded to a 911 call at about 9:20 p.m. that evening when the vessel ran aground on the reef and calls for help could be heard coming from their location, according to the release.

The two people who were rescued were brought to shore, where they were assisted by officers, Morritt’s staff and given medical attention. They were later and handed over to Immigration Officers, who also responded to the emergency call.

“They were very fortunate, as the sea was rough and the currents were strong,” said Inspector Leo Anglin of the Joint Marine Unit. “The operation at night was an additional concern. We are relieved that we were able to reach them in time.”